Mounting refuse heaps across Calabar have sparked fresh concerns among residents, prompting swift intervention from the Calabar Urban Development Authority as the state government moves to restore order.
The agency has launched an extensive waste evacuation exercise targeting major streets, markets, and refuse collection points within the metropolis following a surge in complaints over worsening sanitation conditions.
In recent weeks, refuse piles have grown significantly in densely populated areas, especially around busy junctions and commercial centres where waste bins are often overwhelmed. Residents say the situation has led to blocked roads and foul odours due to delayed evacuation.
While many have called for the relocation of refuse bins away from high-traffic areas, others warn that moving them too far from residential zones could encourage indiscriminate dumping along roadsides and in drainage channels.
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Reacting during an inspection tour with officials of the Calabar Urban Development Authority, the Special Adviser to Governor Bassey Otu on General Duties, Ekpenyong Akiba, said the governor was dissatisfied with the sanitation lapse and had ordered immediate corrective measures.
According to Akiba, the governor is determined to restore Calabar’s reputation as one of Nigeria’s cleanest cities and has directed relevant authorities to act without delay.
Meanwhile, Executive Secretary of CUDA, Effiong Ayi, confirmed that the agency has intensified efforts to clear accumulated waste across the city. He attributed the recent build-up largely to mechanical faults affecting some waste evacuation equipment, noting that the system depends heavily on mechanised operations.
He explained that CUDA has now adopted a zonal approach to waste evacuation to improve efficiency and ensure timely clearance across the metropolis.
Ayi also pointed to the activities of scavengers as a contributing factor, stating that waste is often scattered after bins are arranged, as individuals search for recyclable materials.
In addition, he raised concerns over residents’ non-compliance with the approved waste disposal window of 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., stressing that daytime dumping complicates evacuation efforts and worsens environmental conditions.
The unfolding situation highlights ongoing challenges in urban waste management, even in cities long regarded for cleanliness, as authorities grapple with infrastructure gaps and public compliance.
